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A few weeks ago we heard a loud booming noise outside. Loud booming sounds are common here since we only live two blocks away from Mt. Alyeska where avalanche mitigation (using explosives) occurs frequently to keep the mountain safe for winter sports. We quickly realized that what we heard was not coming from the mountain. We then wondered if it was an earthquake (we get lots of earthquakes here). What had we heard and felt? Answer, an ice dam
on the roof crashing down and hitting the deck. What is an ice dam? "Like the name suggests, an ice dam is a dam made of ice along the edge of the roof line, and as most dams do, an ice dam prevents melting snow from finding its way to the gutters and downspouts. Instead, the snow melting into water finds the dam of ice and refreezes forming even more ice. Sometimes the water backs up behind the dam and will leak into the house and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas." http://www.bellseamlessgutters.com/html/ice_dams.html
The problem with ice dams is that they are unpredictable. They tend to dislodge in large chunks of ice - some have been the size of a briefcase. Since then we have had many other ice dams fall off the roof.
BEFORE & AFTER: Pictures of ice dams on the roof. Followed by pictures of fallen ice dams on the deck! Now we look up before we step outside the door. It's not a wonder why many people have falling ice signs posted on their houses, it is a real danger.
I like that warning sign. We have some damn ice here in nj too.
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